The Nerve of Some Folk

You ever had one of those moments when it made you think the nerve of some folks.  I am pretty sure that is what David had to be thinking in 2 Samuel 15 when he learns that Absalom is leading a rebellion against him.  Just one chapter earlier he extended the grace card to Absalom when he didn't deserve it only for Absalom to respond by trying to overthrow his kingdom. 

Surely we all have some people like Absalom in our life.  Where it seems no matter what we do they still have it out for us but it is important to remember that God is the judge.  So how do you respond to the Absalom in your life?

1. With much prayer.
2. With loving kindness.
3. With humility.

So the next time you have one of those moments that make you think the nerve of some folk remember how God would have you respond.

Scripture Reference: 2 Samuel 15

God bless,
Bondservant Hollis

Don't Be So Quick To Judge

In 2 Samuel 12 David teaches you and I an important lesson about being quick to judge.  Nathan the prophet comes to David to confront him about David killing Uriah and taking Uriah's wife Bathsheba to be his own wife.  Nathan the wordsmith that he is gives us an Old Testament parable about a rich man, a poor man, and an ewe.  Once David hears this parable he quickly jumps to judgment of the rich man in the parable only to discover that he was the rich man.   Immediately upon hearing Yahweh's judgment David seeks out the mercy of God.  David teaches you and I:

· If we expect to receive mercy we first have to grant mercy.

· To be careful about placing judgment on others unless we are ready to receive that same judgment.

I wonder what the world would look like if we weren't so quick to judge one another.  I wonder what the Church would look like if we weren't so quick to judge one another.  I love it when an Old Testament parable speaks to a New Testament principle after all it was Jesus who said judge not less you be judged. 

Scripture Reference: 2 Samuel  12

God bless,

Bondservant Hollis

Ain't No Shame In My Game

Growing up a country boy we often used the phrase, "Ain't No Shame in My Game,"  when we did something that would typically be embarrassing to other people.  That is the response that David gives Michal his wife when she questions his praise.  The ark of the covenant was returned to Jerusalem and as result there was a great worship celebration that transpired led by David.  David praised and worshipped God so hard that he became exposed in a honor and shame society this was considered dishonorable but David continued to worship.   David teaches you and I a few principles here:

• It's often the people closest to us that try to hinder our worship.
• There is something about being in the presence of the Lord that brings about praise and worship.
• When it comes to praising God there is no such thing as it don't take all of that!

David teaches you and I that when it comes to expressing our gratitude to God that we don't have to be ashamed to lift up the name of the LORD.  So next time you breakout into praise mode whether in car with your spouse, friends, etc tell them ain't no shame in my game.  So the next time you breakout in to praise mode at your cubicle or office tell them ain't no shame in my game.  Wherever you feel so inspired lift up the name of the Lord.

Scripture Reference: 2 Samuel 6

God bless,
Bondservant Hollis

Desperate Times Call For Desperate Measures

Have you ever been so desperate you didn't know what to do?   That's where David is in 1 Samuel 27 he is afraid for his life and he doesn't know what to do.  He becomes so desperate that he decides to go to land of the Philistines. The Philistines are the hated enemies of the Israelites. You heard the adage with friends like these you don't need enemies.  David felt if Saul was his friend he didn't need any enemies.  Think about how desperate David had to be to go a dwell in the land of the Philistines but it was the one place he knew Saul wouldn't pursue.  David teaches you and I that desperate times truly call for desperate measures.  David begins to raid his own countrymen in order to find favor with the King of Gath.  So what can we learn from David:

1. Sometimes your so-called enemies can be more friendly than your so-called friends.
2. When the favor of God is on your life God will allow your enemies to bless you.

Remember David was desperate but God never left his side.  The same is true for you and I.  Though life may make us feel as if we have nowhere else to turn.  God is with us granting us provisions in the strangest of places and from the strangest of sources.

Scripture Reference:  1 Samuel 27

God bless,
Bondservant Hollis

Power That God Approves

In this society many suffer from what I call the need to be in control also known as the desire to have the power.  In fact some have suggested that money, power, and respect is what we need in life.  However, 1 Samuel 26 gives us the prescription of the kind of power God approves.  David is presented with his second opportunity to kill Saul who has been hunting him to kill him for a while now, and yet David refused to do the Lord's anointed any harm.  Who said lightning doesn't strike twice?  David teaches us a few principles:

1. Just because opportunity presents itself doesn't mean we take justice in our own hands.
2. It takes more strength to allow God to demonstrate his power than taking matter in our own hands.

So the next time you have the opportunity to give someone what they had coming to them remember this lesson from our friend David and allow God to be the judge. Perhaps this why God considered him a man after his own heart because David didn't give Saul what he deserved.  In fact the Bible says that David repaid evil with goodness.   Let us go and do likewise.


Scripture Reference:  1 Samuel 26

God bless,
Bondservant Hollis

Choosing God Over Family.

If you are like me you have been taught to side with family whether they are wrong or right.  Even though this is good family kinship it is not always right in the sight of God. 1 Samuel 20 lays down for us a time where Jonathan has to make a choice to side with family or do what was right in the eye sight of God.  He serves as a model for you and I that God requires us to do what's right even if it means breaking the family code.   Saul desired to kill David however David had done nothing worthy of being killed and Jonathan did what was right in the sight of God by helping David escape the wrath of Saul.   This reveals for you and I that even though it may be painful and difficult we may be put in situations where we are force to choose God over family.


I want to leave you with some words of comfort from Jesus himself where he gives us insight to who he considered his family to be.  When told that his mother and brothers wanted him Jesus asked who is my mother and my brothers?  Then Jesus answers whosever does the will of my Father who is in heaven is my brother, sister, and mother.

Scripture Reference: 1 Samuel 20

God bless,
Bondservant Hollis

Music Therapy

I often get asked the question do I listen to rap music?  The answer is yes however I must admit that I tend to listen to this music when I am experiencing certain emotions namely frustration and anger.  Whether we want to admitted or not music carries a spirit. 1 Samuel 16 describes how Yahweh selects the next king of Israel.  The Bible says that after Samuel anointed David the Son of Jesse the Bethlehemite that the Spirit of the Lord rush upon David and that the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul.  It then goes on that Yahweh sent an evil spirit to torment Saul.  The only thing that could comfort Saul when bothered by this evil spirit was David's playing of his stringed instrument (lyre).  This suggests that the music you listen to can affect your spiritual health.  So the:

• Next time someone makes you upset turn on a little gospel music and watch the atmosphere change.
• Next time you want cussed someone out turn on a little gospel music and watch the atmosphere change.

The Bible says when David played for Saul it brought Saul relief.  How many know like Rance Allen and Kirk Franklin that," There Is Something About The Name Jesus," that brings comfort to a downtrodden spirit.

Scripture Reference: 1 Samuel 16

God bless,
Bondservant Hollis